An update after a long time...
"And that decides the rules of this match! Five hits, with no secondary objective! Teams to your positions!"
This is the match between Eirin's and Yuuka's teams for the right to reach the semi-finals. As expected, the other three teams have reached the top of their respective blocks, even Cirno's, and this is the last one.
"So who will be the one to advance to the semi-finals? Let's find out! Ready... GO!"
Suika sounds the drum, and it begins. The crowd are getting increasingly fired up as the final match draws close; whether it's because things will be over or the later matches are getting more intense, I have no idea. Frankly, I just want to see who's going to win this.
"What's this? Team Flower Heaven is going for an immediate attack with its two strongest members!"
Even from here, I can see Eirin's eyes widen. "Scatter!" She barks in alarm.
The rabbits don't question the order; they scatter, and not a moment too soon. The force of the snowballs make me flinch a little as they shatter the snow barrier of the Eientei Team.
"Ayaya!"
"Oh dear, it seems like every match of theirs lately has resulted in the destruction of a barrier."
"Maybe I should have incorporated a penalty for doing that..."
"Well, it's too late to change that now! The rabbits are counter-attacking!"
Reisen slips through the barrage of snowballs, skipping back and forth across the snow as she deftly avoids shot after shot, occasionally folding her bunny ears down to avoid getting them hit. Further back, Tewi is dodging as well, but expertly taking advantage of any openings to build up an ammo cache, passing them to Eirin for the attack.
Of course, Eirin isn't the only smart one in this match. No offense to the others... "Participant Mima has given an order to target the snowball piles! Smart move, taking out your opponents' source of ammunition."
"Pretty smart thinking for a ghost that does nothing but hang around a shrine."
"I heard that!"
"That's a bit unhealthy," Byakuren says with a hint of disapproval, "You should get out more. Why not come visit Myouren Temple?"
"I thought spirits and temples don't mix..." I say without thinking, then slap my hand on my forehead. "Oh wait, you can't be restricted by common sense in Gensokyo!" Besides, Murasa is a ghost at her temple already.
"That's right! Common sense doesn't apply here!" A slightly familiar voice speaks out.
"Oh, Kochiya-san. Where'd you come from?" I turn to my left to look at the Moriya shrine maiden.
"I was wondering why there were so many people around this shrine... to think that this would be taking place..." Sanae mutters.
"Hey hey, focus on the match, Ikuto!" Aya reminds me.
"Oh right! Sorry, Kochiya-san, but please be quiet and watch this match!"
She makes a sound like a grunt, folding her arms as she turns to observe the snowball fight. I notice some of the other people go up and start chatting with her.
Actually, I also had a bad feeling that Sanae might have expressed scorn about holding something like this in a shrine if we let her go on. "What'd I miss, by the way?"
"The rabbit managed to hit the Celestial in the face twice, but Eirin also received a glancing blow. Since she stumbled from that, it was counted as a hit." Aya frets a little. "Still nothing worth taking a picture of though."
"The rest of them have yet to receive a hit." Byakuren adds.
"But still," I squint at Reisen, "Doesn't it look like Reisen is starting to tire?"
Indeed, I can see her panting heavily, her breath misting in this cold air as she weaves among the shots, occasionally returning one of her own. However, unlike her previous straight shots, I can actually see gravity affect her current throws.
"Udonge! Get back!"
"I suppose Reisen would be the vanguard, Tewi the support, and Eirin the general and strategist." I say the first thing that pops into my head.
"Then what about the other team?" Byakuren wants to know.
"Tenshi is a berserker, Mima a support strategist, but Yuuka... I'm not too sure, but she's not entirely a berserker like Tenshi."
"What's a berserker?" She asks.
"Extremely high attacking power, but low on defense." I say by way of explanation.
As if to back up my words, a shot hits Tenshi in the chest. "NOT AGAIN!"
Aya nods in agreement. "I think that description really fits her."
"Udonge!" Eirin's voice cries out, drawing my attention back to my pharmacist and rabbit lovers.
Reisen was crouched down, panting. It looked like she twisted her ankle. Tenshi and Yuuka immediately target her, and I tense up unconsciously at the thought of seeing her get hit by those two heavy cannon shots.
Unexpectedly, the snow beneath Reisen gives way, and she sinks just enough that the missiles pass by harmlessly overhead. Before they can follow up, she follows through, taking cover in the tunnels Tewi dug out over the course of many matches.
"WOAH! That's some amazing coincidence!"
"I don't think so." I glance at Tewi, who's grinning triumphantly. "Luck appears to have played an important role in that."
"Isn't that the same as what I said?"
"Well... who knows...?" I give an offhanded reply and turn my gaze towards Mima. "Participant Mima has been staying back ever since the start of the match, just what could she be doing?"
"Lemme see, lemme see..." Aya leans to the side and forward slightly. "Hmm... this is strange... she's, using magic?"
"Where? I need to see this." I get up and move so I can get the right angle.
The green-haired spirit was in a circle stamped in the snow, with snowballs at different points along its border. Her mouth is moving, clearly chanting some spell out. Well, finally somebody figured out the other loophole: as long as you attack with snowballs, it doesn't matter what you propel them with.
"Looks like she's gearing up for a huge attack."
Eirin must have heard me, because she immediately gives the command to go on the offensive. "Tewi, Udonge, pattern beta!"
Their movements seem to be all over the place, but the longer I watch them, the more I'm sure that it is a tactic meant to create an opening... for the vanguard Reisen. I think this team arrangement is disadvantageous for Eirin already. Reisen is their only main attacker; an expert in fighting like Yuuka would be able to know that, which makes it easy to know what are the workable plans that utilize such a player.
"Go, Reisen!" Tewi snaps, executing a perfect cartwheel to avoid two shots.
"Got it!"
Reisen charges straight forward, making my breath catch in my throat. She's not going to dodge? That's-! Unexpectedly, shots from both Tenshi and Yuuka collide before they hit her, creating a small explosion of snow that hides her form from them. Another stroke of luck on Tewi's part! Do your best, Reisen!
"We'll cover you from below!" Eirin calls out, a smirk on her face.
"Tch! No chance of that!" Tenshi retorts, readying another snowball and looking up.
Yuuka's head snaps around to look at her teammate. "No you idiot! She's-" A few shots from Eirin cut her off mid-sentence as she's forced to dodge.
"Down here!"
Reisen breaks through the settling snow and smashes a handful of snow into Tenshi's face when the Celestial reacts too late in looking back down in response to Yuuka's warning, and the crowd roars in approval.
"Perfect shot!" Aya crows, her camera clicking away.
"Excellent play by the Eientei team! That leaves one more shot for Participant Tenshi! But it looks like she wasn't Participant Reisen's actual target!"
The lunar rabbit goes around the side of Team Flower Heaven's snow wall, heading for Mima. Yuuka is already ready to defend, but with only her alone, she is unable to pin down Reisen. Unfortunately, it appears that Mima has already completed her preparations.
"Wha- KYAH!" Before Reisen can react, she takes four hits all over her body. "What's going on!"
Yuuka, the flower devil, smirks as she tosses a snowball up and down in one hand. "About time."
"Thanks for the wait." Mima gestures with her hands, and more snowballs take flight from the circle around her. "Time to put an end to this."
"Despite the use of magic, Participant Mima is still using snowballs to attack, thus it is allowed!" Shikieiki gives her judgment so that the crowd knows it's legal.
"The odds are stacked against the Eientei team! With such snowballs, simple dodging won't suffice!"
"Ayaya... I hate to say it, but I don't think they have a chance of winning..."
"I must admit, even I have no idea how to deal with those, but... it looks like that rabbit is doing an excellent job of it!"
Just as Byakuren said, Reisen seems to be drawing on some hidden store of energy to execute incredible feats of acrobatics, rolling, flipping, cockscrews, and all sorts of other impressive looking moves I can't name, just to avoid the erratic motions of the snowballs under Mima's control. Occasionally, Yuuka attempts to hit her when it seems like she's off balance, only to have her shot avoided.
The crowd keeps cheering whenever she barely avoids a hit, shouting encouragement to that determined rabbit. After a particularly impressive backflip where the snowball brushed across her chest, the balance is broken... by Tenshi's joining in-
"Got you now- Huh?" Tenshi suddenly stops, the snowball still in her upraised hand. "C-C-CO- HYEEEEK!"
"OUT!"
-and immediate retire, courtesy of Tewi dumping snow down the back of her shirt.
I can't help it; I start laughing out loud at the sight of the Celestial hopping around trying to shake the snow out of her clothes, and the audience laughs with me.
"Can't let your guard down when there's a prankster around!" Aya chuckles.
"Dear me..." Byakuren is wearing an amused smile as well.
"But despite the loss of one of their members, it looks like Team Flower Heaven still has the overwhelming advantage! What will the opposing team do?"
Reisen attempts to avoid another weaving shot, but Tewi takes the hit for her, sticking out an arm to block another.
"Focus on that rabbit." Yuuka instructs.
"I know." Mima sends three snowballs forward.
"Tsk. Looks like I've gotta take more hits -usa." Tewi mutters.
"We surrender."
Huh? Everyone pauses at the sound of that voice. "Sorry... excuse me?" I ask without thinking.
"We're conceding this match." Eirin repeats, stepping forward.
"The match has ended!" Shikieiki calls out, and Suika sounds the drum. "Winner: Team Flower Heaven!"
"An... an unexpected surrender!" Aya exclaims, and flies forward to hold the mike to Eirin. "What... what made you choose to surrender?"
"It was clear that my team couldn't win. I just picked the logical choice."
"Don't forget to thank each other for the good match!" Byakuren calls out excitedly, waving at the teams. "Both of you did great!"
Yuuka walks over to Reisen, who's brushing snow off her clothes. "Little rabbit."
"Y-y-yes! What is it?"
"You moved pretty well... better than this idiot here." The flower youkai snatches Tenshi off her feet by grabbing the back of her collar.
"Who are you calling an- UGH!" Tenshi wheezes when a heavy fist slams into her stomach.
"You. Anyway, that was a good match." Yuuka slings the gasping Celestial over her shoulder and starts walking away. "C'mon, Mima."
"Coming! Thank you too." Mima nods to Eirin, and floats off after Yuuka.
"What about me -usa?" Tewi mutters audibly.
"You were good for a laugh." The reply comes floating back.
"Everyone! Please give both teams a huge round of applause!" I wait for the cheering to subside. "With that, our lineup for the semi-finals have been decided!"
A snap of my fingers signal the mini-Suikas, who take down the previous tournament matchup board, and put up a smaller, different one with the names of the four teams. Team Miko Doll Spark is up against Team Scarlet, while Team Flower Heaven is against the Strongest Team; all in all, things look like they'll be really interesting.
"And we're going to have a slight change in rules! First, we'll do away with the wheel..." I walk over to it and push it over. "And the ball drawn from the box... will indicate the hit limit, FOR THE WHOLE TEAM!"
I can hear some mutters of dissatisfaction in the crowd, so I quickly improvise. "Well, that's for numbers four and above. If they happen to draw a one, two, or a three, then the rules will remain like they were before. That way, the matches won't be so fast."
"Also, in order to make things a bit more fun... it is now possible for participants to use anything they like to block shots, provided the shot is not manually thrown." I provide some examples of what I mean by enlisting the help of Alice's dolls.
In addition to the changes in the match rules, we remade the tournament field with the help of those who are already out of the game. Instead of one single tall barrier on each side, this time there are various shorter walls scattered around the place; one has to crouch down entirely instead of simply bending over to get proper cover, and not all of them are parallel to each other, some being perpendicular instead.
"So you can see," I step on top of one of them and stamp lightly. "They can take quite a bit of weight, thanks to their hard core. Please be careful not to slip and fall while you're on top!"
Well, it looks like they find this change interesting enough. I thought I was going to lose their attention at this point of time. I hop down and start walking back to the table. But it looks like things are fine for now. I tap Aya on the shoulder to signal her to take over for a bit.
"Alright! First up! On my left, Team Miko Doll Spark!" Aya seems to be really getting into it, sweeping her hand out to indicate the three.
"This match won't be like the others." Alice warns her teammates.
"Don't worry, it'll be a cinch -ze!" Marisa doesn't seem to be bothered in the least, though Reimu is wearing a serious expression.
"And to my right, hailing from the Scarlet Devil Mansion, we have Team Scarlet!"
"We sure are being looked down on, aren't we?" Sakuya observes coolly, her arms crossed.
"I'm looking forward to the chance to pay back that black-white for all the times she's intruded." Meiling smacks one fist into a palm, while Koakuma looks between her two teammates flusteredly.
"That's just because you're not doing your job well."
"Teams to your positions!" Shikieiki calls out.
"You can feel the tension in the air!" I say into the mike. "There's certainly some bad history between the members of both teams, you could say!"
"What sort of bad history are you talking about, may I know?" Byakuren asks curiously.
"Let's ask... hmm, Miss Margatroid, what would you say the reason for all this tension is?"
"Well, I believe it's because of a certain someone who borrows stuff without asking."
"Yes indeed, a certain someone who creates a mess whenever she comes to visit." Sakuya nods in agreement.
Reimu closes her eyes as she nods as well. "Someone who often comes to drink other people's tea and eat other people's snacks."
"This certain someone also outright intrudes even when she's not welcome." Meiling crosses her arms, looking at the other team solemnly.
"So, there's a certain someone here who does all of these things... just who could it be?"
"Hahaha... yeah -ze, who could it be, I wonder?" Marisa laughs shamelessly, tipping her hat.
There's a brief moment of silence, until I break it by saying, "You know, Aya-san, if you had your pet crow with you right now, I'm sure it would caw." (1)
Most of the people listening don't seem to get it, but a few, like Sanae, get what I mean and chuckle. Either she probably realized that from living near tengus, or she watches anime. It'd be nice if it was the latter.
Aya does as well, slapping me good-heartedly on the shoulder before turning back to her mike. "Well, this is THE place to settle things once and for all! So let's get STARTED!"
Man, she's really good at this. "Team leaders, decide who will be the one to draw from the box!"
Sakuya wins the janken match, and she draws a seven. After checking that both teams understand the new match rules, I dismiss them to their respective ends.
"Both sides are crouching down, no doubt preparing for the signal!"
"There's a noticeable difference in the atmosphere compared to the previous matches." Byakuren comments.
"Indeed, this promises to be an exciting match between two excellent teams!"
"START!"
"Participant Alice Margatroid is following Participant Mima's example in the previous match, and is using magical dolls to make and carry snowballs!"
The puppeteer's fingers flicker around so quickly, making a veritable army of dolls gather and pack snow into roughly spherical shapes, putting Team Miko Doll Spark's snowball building speed far beyond Team Scarlet's. Now it's a matter of who attacks first...
"Go."
Alice makes the first move, sending three snowball-carrying dolls forward in a probing attack. All three of them are stabbed through with knives flung by the cool maid before they even travel half the distance.
"Expert use of knives by Participant Izayoi in defense."
"And they're starting!" Aya adds.
"Ha!" Meiling dashes forward, aiming for Marisa. "Take that, Black-white!"
"Woah woah woah!" The witch barely dodges two shots, but recovers quickly. "Heh, missed me! How's this?" She retaliates with a snowball of her own.
Meiling reacts by executing a backflip just like Reisen did, but as her hands pull free of the snow, they're already molding a rough snowball, which she launches just like a softball pitch. Not expecting that, Marisa takes the hit in her right shoulder.
"That quick exchange has resulted in Participant Kirisame coming off worse! The first hit has been scored by Participant Meiling!"
"My, that was an amazing counter attack!" Byakuren gushes.
Wait, gushes? What the heck's with that? Does Byakuren have the hots for Meiling? I put that thought out of my mind with some furious shaking, and refocus on the match. "Every attack doll that was sent out has been shot down by a knife!"
Alice cuts off her connection to the magic dolls, making them fade, and sends out more. "Kuh! Reimu!"
"Leave it to me!"
The shrine maiden dashes forward, vaulting over the low walls in her way. Despite being in the air, she somehow manages to slip through the snowballs thrown by Sakuya and Koakuma with a grace that's almost unrealistic, making her way towards them.
"Like I'd let you! HAH!" The gate guard twists her body, and kicks a section of a wall at Reimu with a spinning heel kick.
"Tch!" Reimu dives down to the ground to avoid it, and is immediately pinned down by Koakuma's fire.
Marisa picks that moment to counterattack. "Don't turn your eyes a-"
"I haven't forgotten about you." Meiling interrupts, bringing her leg back around to repeat the same move, this time with a roundhouse kick.
"Yeow!" Marisa yelps as the heavy clump of snow clips the edge of her hat, instead of her head if she hadn't moved. "Are you trying to kill me?" She demands, peeking over the edge of the wall.
"No, of course not..." The reply sounds innocent, but Meiling is cracking her knuckles with a wide grin on her face.
Looks like someone has a grudge to settle. But man, all that took place in less than ten seconds, and the crowd is... silent? I turn my head to look. Momentarily stunned by the burst of action that had just taken place in front of their eyes, the crowd explodes with cheers and yells. Ah, delayed reaction, that's all.
"That was an amazing exchange between both teams! Let's give them some encouragement!" The audience roars again in response to my words.
"Sakuya! Koa!" Meiling turns away from the other and faces in Reimu's direction, leaving her teammates to defend her. "HaaaaaAAAH!"
She slashes a section of the wall vertically with both hands, then digs her fingers at the bottom of the block she created, and flings it up. Woah, table flipping skill? Pretty cool! I watch as the thing hurtles through the air, coming down to crash on where Reimu was taking cover.
"Yikes!" Reimu dashes out, barely avoiding getting crushed.
Sakuya is waiting in front of her. "Careless!" The maid thrusts out a hand, intent on delivering a payload of snow to the shrine maiden.
"Not so easy!" Reimu parries it with her left, stepping in as she uses her other hand to scoop a hole out of the nearby wall and slamming it against Sakuya's midriff.
"And there's the equalizer!" I announce.
They break apart, dodging shots flung by the teammate of their opponent as they hide behind the low walls. But instead of a break in the action, things start heating up from there; Marisa manages tp score a hit on Meiling when she was distracted by a sudden sneak attack from Reimu, a snowball accidentally launched high by Koakuma happens to land on Alice's head, all sorts of funny and exciting scenes take place, and when I take a glance at the timer, the score is at four-three in Team Scarlet's favor.
All that took place in... only TWO minutes? Wow... I look back at the current events unfolding in front of us. So they've realized that Koakuma is the weak point of Team Scarlet. The three Main Characters have started aiming for the succubus, while her colleagues are doing their best to defend and score hits at the same time. But as expected of people experienced in defense; they are amazing with their suppression abilities. And that teamwork...
"Sakuya! Cut it up, please!" Meiling removes another block of snow and tosses it upwards.
Two knives appear in Sakuya's hands, and she reduces it into fist-size chunks in a flicker of silver that I can't catch. Below it, Meiling is gathering her energy for an attack.
"Suuuuu... Hatatatatatatata!" She punches repeatedly with incredible speed, somehow not destroying the cohesion of the snow blocks as she hits them at the opposing team.
Huh, a shotgun-type attack. Not only are they random, but their speed isn't something easily dodged.
"Awawawa!" Marisa dives down, though one knocks her hat off.
Reimu fares much better, actually managing to throw back a shot as she flips between the trajectory lines. "Tch!"
"Kuh!" Not expecting that sort of counterattack, Meiling reacts by blocking it with a fist.
"Penalty to Team Miko Doll Spark for blocking with the use of magic!" Shikieiki calls out.
"Participant Margatroid used her dolls to block, but since Participant Meiling's attack was performed with her fists, it is considered a violation of the rules!" I explain for the audience's benefit.
"That means just like the previous times, the opposing team gets a point, isn't that right?" Byakuren asks me.
"Exactly. So the current score is five to four. Two more hits by Team Scarlet, and they'll move on to the finals!"
"Reimu, what will we do? We're going to lose at this rate -ze!"
I can hear the grin in Reimu's voice as she answers Marisa, "Hey, I didn't think you were the type to give up easily."
"Oi oi, do you really think I'm like that? Don't make such lame jokes -ze!"
"Then let's show them what we can do. Marisa! Alice!"
"Yeah -ze!"
"You can count on me."
Even from here, the change in the atmosphere is noticeable, and I can imagine what Iku might say if she was here. "Team Miko Doll Spark are getting more determined to win! Give those girls a round of applause for their effort!"
"Alice, back up Marisa. I'll handle things alone." Reimu orders as she stands up, her attention focused on the opponents hurling snowballs at her.
"Send your dolls behind me -ze!" Similarly, the witch is advancing.
"Sakuya, we're being looked down on, aren't we?" Meiling asks without turning her head as she continues to throw snowball after snowball.
Her colleague answers as she uses one hand to throw her own shots, the other keeping a knife at the ready. "Yes. To lose here would be a disgrace for Milady."
"Then we just have to win."
"Woah-ho, Team Scarlet is just as determined..." Aya announces, "Nearly all of them..." She amends, looking at the timid Koakuma.
Then it starts; Sakuya throws knives at the dolls near Marisa, who suddenly produces her broom out of nowhere to swat them away as she advances. Meanwhile, Meiling is trying to hit Reimu directly with two handfuls of snow, forcing the Hakurei shrine maiden to back away as she tries to hit the gate guard with snowballs of her own. At the back, Koakuma is supporting Sakuya by throwing snowballs at Marisa, who nearly makes the mistake of blocking with her broom before recalling the rules and dodging instead.
"It looks like the maid is taking advantage of that opening."
"Uh, Hijiri-san, it's not 'looks like', because it is." I correct.
"I'll have you lose right here." Sakuya jumps up. "And the dolls as well." She throws out knives with a flick of her wrist.
The three dolls following Marisa get impaled and fade away before they hit the ground, but the witch doesn't seem too bothered. Instead, there's a brief flash of green, and she starts digging her hands into the ground. Meanwhile, Sakuya is bringing her other hand back as she descends, ready to take another point.
"Here... ZE!" Marisa grunts, and performs the same flipping action that Meiling did before.
"Wha... Ugh!"
Unable to dodge in midair without the use of her flight abilities, and unable to hit Marisa because the block of snow is between the two of them, Sakuya takes the hit right in her stomach, and tumbles onto the ground.
"Sakuya!" Meiling makes as though to go over to where Sakuya lands, but a sharp command stops her.
"Pay attention to yourself!" The maid pushes herself up and retreats to make more snowballs.
"Kuh!" Meiling tilts her body to avoid another shot, and fires back one of her own with a burst of blue energy.
I catch sight of the triumphant expression on Reimu's face as she throws out four amulets, momentarily creating a barrier to intercept the attack. She then launches more snowballs through the fading blue wall, and Meiling bends over backwards to avoid them. But with the snow walls on either side of her, it doesn't look like she will be able to dodge the next one.
"Ei!" Koakuma throws one, forcing Reimu to break off her attack.
"Tch! Marisa! Alice!"
The witch is also retreating, but the puppeteer's advancing. "Are they trying some team attack?"
"Looks like..." Byakuren replies without much conviction.
What happens next takes me by surprise; Marisa grabs Reimu's hands and swings her friend up into the air, while Alice brings out nearly ten dolls from behind a snow wall, and sends them forward in a widespread formation. Some of the dolls head for Reimu, who takes the snowballs they're carrying and bombards Team Scarlet from above. The rest advance behind Marisa, who has her broom at the ready, and Alice continues to make more attack dolls to support her teammates.
The sudden display of such flawless teamwork takes Meiling and Sakuya by surprise, and though the dodge the worst of it, Meiling gets clipped on the leg by a doll, while Sakuya receives takes a hit on her right shoulder.
"A sudden turnaround by Team Miko Doll Spark with an amazing combination attack! What will Team Scarlet do?"
"Focus on the red-white!" Meiling dives into a roll, and comes up holding a snowball. "All together!"
Once more, the redheaded youkai fires off an attack powered by that blue energy, and Reimu brings up the barrier in reflex. However, that was what Sakuya was waiting for, and she hits it with her own snowball.
"Penalty to Team Miko Doll Spark!"
"Interesting way of using the rules against your opponents." Aya comments, "Did you consider that when you made the rules, Ikuto?"
"Not really. But it's quite a fun twist to have, don't you think?"
"Sounds like it can be abused." The tengu's tone makes it clear that she doesn't.
"I'm kind of random that way... besides, it's fun!" I reply flippantly, and Aya opens her mouth to retort...
"Kya!" Someone squeals, and I hear someone hit
"Winner: Team Miko Doll Spark!"
"Huh?" Both me and Aya say at the same time, turning our attention back to the field.
"You both missed it. A doll popped up from behind the small girl with red hair and hit the back of her neck with a snowball." Byakuren informs us. "You also missed a really exciting exchange between the maid and the shrine maiden."
So that was Koakuma. Damn. I exchange glares with Aya. "This is all your fault." We both say at the same time. "Stop copying me." The crowd hears us and laughs.
Rather than risking continuing that exchange, I turn away and nudge Byakuren with one elbow, and she obliges me in getting the audience to cheer for both winners and losers, as well as interviewing both teams on their opinions of the match. Sakuya expresses her regret that she couldn't win this round, and promises to win the next; she doesn't say it explicitly, but I can tell the message is for Remilia. In response, Reimu only says she'll take the first prize, but when Marisa adds that she's just being tsundere about having so many visitors, the shrine maiden turns so red that even the tips of her ears are colored.
"Now, which team will earn the chance to take on Team Miko Doll Spark in the finals? Let's hear it for Team Flower Heaven and the Strongest Team!"
I hear some snickers when Aya names Cirno's group, but it's more good-natured than scornful.
"Yay! Aye am the strongest!" Cirno makes a declaration that sounds like it'd be more appropriate after she had won.
"Shall we get on with it?" I inquire of Aya. Even the cold is starting to get to me by now.
"I agree as well." Byakuren covers the mike and whispers to me, "Could you provide some heat, please?"
"Not right now." I hiss back. "Let's see who gets the draw-"
"I'll let the stupid fairy go first." Yuuka interrupts.
"Hey! Those who call others stupid are stupid themselves! Stu~pid, stu~pid!"
I facepalm as the audience roars with laughter, then snap my fingers repeatedly to get her attention. "Cirno, focus. Here, draw a ball."
She obliges, and when I see what she's drawn, I wonder if someone out there is screwing with me, because the ice fairy... has drawn a 9. Just like Cirno... I wink at her, and she smirks back. Yep, she's seeing it as a sign because of the title I gave her back then.
"Good luck." I murmur just loud enough for her to hear, before speaking into the mike again. "So we have a hit limit of nine hits! And-"
Once again, Yuuka interrupts me, this time by snatching away the mike. "Since there's a limit of nine, and there are three of us, I propose having one-on-one matches."
"Hey, is that really okay, Ikuto?" Aya taps my shoulder.
"Well, she does have some pull with the crowd, and I'd like to see what she has planned."
"One on one, one participant, one match! Maximum three hits per player! Surrendering is allowed, but the other players have to score to make up for it! Other than that, same combat rules!" The flower youkai cuts an imposing figure as she names the add-on rules, her attention focused on the other team.
The crowd mutters a little at that, but no one voices a clear objection. I think I know where she's going with this, I muse, glancing at Letty. Well, let's give her a hand. I want to see how their fight goes. I nudge Byakuren with my foot, drawing her attention, and send her subtle signals.
"Does anyone have any objections to this?" The Myouren Temple priestess asks, looking between both teams. "Great Yama? If so, then please decide your lineup!"
I can predict this for sure... after all, there are two pairs of rivals present, so that narrows things down perfectly. Sure enough, the matches are between Daiyousei and Mima, Cirno and Tenshi, and the final fight between the avatars of winter and summer, Letty Whiterock and Kazami Yuuka respectively.
I butt in before they move off to their respective ends. "Yuuka-san, can I have my mike back?"
"Catch." She flings it at me so hard my hand stings painfully from catching it.
"Ow." I switch it over to my other hand and shake the pins and needles feeling off before continuing on. "And so, let's have our first one-on-one match between Team Flower Heaven and the Strongest Team!" I nudge Aya.
"From Team Flower Heaven, we have Participant Mima!"
I nudge Byakuren next. "And her opponent from the Strongest Team is that cute little fairy with green hair!"
I facepalm. "Um, Hijiri-san, her name's Daiyousei."
"Oh dear. Sorry about that, Daiyousei-chan."
That matter settled, the uninvolved members leave the field, leaving only Mima and Daiyousei standing among the damaged walls.
"Ready... start!"
"Run, little fairy." Mima gestures, and two snowballs burst out of the ground, flying towards Daiyousei. "Let me have some fun."
"Awaaaa!" The small fairy dodges, hiding behind a wall.
"Dai-chan, do your best!" Cirno calls from the side.
I can already see that this match is extremely imbalanced; Mima isn't even trying, simply moving around so she can get straight shots only, and that's already enough to force Daiyousei on a nonstop retreat.
"One-sided, wouldn't you say?"
Aya nods. "Definitely."
The first hit comes when Daiyousei hops on top one of the walls and throws a snowball at Mima. The spirit drifts to the side unconcernedly and hits the fairy in the chest with a snowball. Then things take a turn for the unexpected.
"I admit defeat." says Mima, and leaves the field.
Just what is she... Oh. Of course. "Participant Mima has admitted defeat after scoring one hit! Just what's going on here? No one knows, but one thing's for sure, Team Flower Heaven has the lead in points!"
"Hijiri-san," Aya leans around to look at my other commentator. "Do you have any theories on why Participant Mima did that?"
"I believe this is a way of saying that her other two members are capable of handling the rest."
I pretend to nod as though I just understood. "I see. Well, let's see how they handle it! Up next is Hinanawi Tenshi versus Cirno the ice fairy! With the points carried over, Participant Tenshi needs to score five hits for a win, while Participant Cirno only requires three!"
"Don't worry, Dai-chan! Aye'm going to prove that Aye'm the strongest again!"
"I'm not going to lose this time, fairy. Not even if it's a game."
Shikieiki gives the signal. "Start!"
"Eieieieieieieieiei!" Cirno immediately starts off by shooting snowballs up into the air at a furious rate. "Eieieieieieieieiei!"
"Woah! Hey! That's cheating!" Tenshi shakes a fist at Cirno, but is forced to keep dancing around to avoid the random rain of shots. "Yeek! Woo! Hiyeek!"
"Take this! Strongest... SNOWBALL!" The Ice fairy uses both hands to throw a bowling ball-sized block of snow.
"Hah! As if that would hit me..." Tenshi trails off as she realizes the effect of the tactics Cirno picked up in our spars. "WHA-"
That's some amazing flexibility in that plan... I wonder what Cirno would have done if Tenshi had dodged the other way instead of running into the long corridor. Next to me, Aya snaps off a picture as Tenshi gets bulldozed by a growing ball of packed ice pushed by Cirno. Well... that's one point for Cirno. She's actually playing it cautious this time round, breaking off to let the snowball stop rather than encasing Tenshi in it.
The fairy dodges back as Tenshi pulls herself free on the top of the giant ball to throw two handfuls of snow. This time it's Cirno's turn to dodge around as the Celestial harvests the snow beneath her for her 'meteor' shots.
"WAHA! WAHAHAHAHA! RUN! RUN! WAHAHAHAHA!"
"Participant Tenshi's really fired up, isn't she~"
I recall the time she was fighting against Orin in the underground. "She's too sheltered, I think. A bit of excitement, and she'll get carried away."
"I see," says Byakuren, "But doesn't that leave her open to attacks?"
"Exactly. And unlike Participant Cirno, she's not moving around."
Apparently Tenshi heard me, because she jumps off, putting the snowball between her and Cirno. The next minute is a slapstick scene as they both circle around it trying to catch sight of the other, switching directions almost at the same time, but it's Tenshi who proves the more vigilant of the two, and Cirno takes a heavy hit on her arms. The tide of the battle reverses, and now Cirno is the one being pursued around.
"Looks like the tables have been turned!" Aya cheers.
"Apparently even a fairy would feel the force from a hit of that magnitude." I shrug slightly. "But she's a fairy, and she's strong. So I'm not too worried."
Tenshi turns her head towards me and yells, "What about me then!"
"Someone who lets her guard down at the wrong time." I observe clinically, and before Tenshi can reply, Cirno's snowball smacks into the side of her head and knocks off her hat. I'm kind of glad to see that teaching Cirno to take advantage of openings paid off.
"Don't mess with the strongest! Ei!"
Diving down to dodge Cirno's next shot, Tenshi appears to be working on something furiously. However, her opponent isn't so kind as to let her do that, and starts firing off bombarding shots again. What's she got in her hands? I squint at Tenshi as she scrambles to get out from under the rain. Hm? It's a snowball, but... My eyes widen when I see the snowball shoot out of her hands at Cirno without being thrown.
"Uwah!" The ice fairy breaks off and starts running around as it chases after her.
"Did Participant Mima teach her the same magic she used?"
Ah, I see... I make eye contact with Shikieiki to verify my hunch. Yeah, Cirno would win by penalty if she just let it hit her, since a mini-keystone is inside that snowball. But still, I facepalm as Cirno keeps trying to avoid the snowball, if it's not thrown by hand, and it obviously ISN'T since it's homing, she can block it by making an ice shield. Looks like Cirno's still not quite there yet.
"Eat this!" Tenshi takes the shot when Cirno ducks to avoid a dive-bombing, hitting her squarely in the shoulder. Judging from the way Cirno's acting, she's not going to get any more use out of it for a while.
"And that's a second hit by Participant Tenshi! Three more hits to go for her, while her match partner only needs one more!" I notice Aya has her camera raised up, tracking whichever of the two that happens to be visible from the commentators' desk.
"It looks like Participant Cirno has resorted to hiding behind walls! Good thing her body's small enough already; she doesn't have to bend over too much!"
Tenshi tries to flush Cirno out by sending the stone down the passageways between the walls, but without being able to see where to aim, it's a failed plan. Recognizing that, Tenshi summons the snowball back.
"Ehehehe!"
"What are you laughing for, stupid fairy?" Tenshi cocks her arm back, and throws another snowball when Cirno's head pokes over the top of a wall.
Of course, it misses. But what follows next is something reminiscent of whack-a-mole, as Cirno keeps popping her head up in various different places while Tenshi tries to score a headshot.
In the end, it's Yuuka who breaks the deadlock. "Break the walls!" She snaps angrily.
"I know that!" Tenshi lies through her teeth, and starts aiming for the wall directly.
"Eieieieieieieieiei!"
"That again? I know where you are!" Tenshi shatters another section of the wall, but Cirno's not behind it. "There! Wha-, a fake? Then that one's the real one! It's a fake too?"
Once again, I keep my mouth shut as I watch Cirno sneak around while Tenshi continues to break the ice statues she made. With only a small blue ribbon peeking out, it's not easy to figure out which one is the real one and which one is the fake.
"To your left!" Yuuka warns, and Tenshi quickly ducks as three snowballs fly through the place where her head was a moment ago.
"Che!" Cirno lowers her one good arm and starts running again.
"I see you!" The homing snowball flies after Cirno again.
Cirno aims her hand backwards as she keeps dodging the snowball, firing back weak shots that fall short of their target. But eventually she gets back under cover once more, and they start playing hide-and-seek again. However, Tenshi manages to score a glancing blow on Cirno's hit during that time, making the score three-two.
"So, how do you think this will end, Ikuto?"
"It's hard to say... but I have a feeling that Cirno still has something up her sleeve." I rub my chin thoughtfully. "Say what you will, but Cirno's got willpower." Though I wonder if it's willpower born of stupidity sometimes.
A giant ball of blue energy suddenly appears, and I can feel the temperature drop; those near the field quickly back away, and so does Byakuren. The energy manifests as an equally-sized snowball that blasts straight up high above Cirno, with everyone's eyes following it.
"And... GOOOO!" Cirno fires a giant icicle after it.
Tenshi's jaw drops open as the snowball breaks up into many small pieces, raining back down. "WHAAAA-!"
The rain is so heavy I have difficulty in making out what's going on, but I can tell that Tenshi is huddling under one of her keystones at least.
"Looks like it's going to end." Aya comments, getting up to approach the field with her camera.
What is it she saw... "Ah!"
"Here's payback from the Strongest!"
"Shutter chance!"
Aya gains another picture of Tenshi getting pasted in the face. Reisen's was a thrust, kind of like a boxer's punch. On the other hand, Cirno's was like a close-range baseball pitch... nice throwing form.
"And the winner is Cirno from the Strongest Team! However, the score is at four-three, in favor of Team Flower Heaven! Now..." I look over at Yuuka. "It's time for the final match! Unexpectedly, it's not between the team leaders!"
"Hard to believe that this isn't the final match yet." Byakuren's voice observes.
"Are you still going to stay back there? It's not that cold anymore."
"Ah no, I'm fine."
"Oh oka- UWOAH!" I duck to avoid a snowball aimed at my head, trading a head-ripping impact for a nonlethal, but still painful, smack on the forehead when the momentum crashes my head into the desk. "Yuuka-san, please do not attack the staff!"
"Then hurry up and start already!"
"Okay, okay, sheesh." I nod towards the judge. Guess someone's desperate for a chance to take a shot at Letty...
"BEGIN!" At Shikieiki's signal, Yuuka crouches behind one of the still standing walls while Letty gathers the snow around her to form snowballs of various sizes.
I watch as Letty makes the first move, approaching the place where Yuuka was hiding. Huh, I thought she would- HOLY SHIT!
Apparently Yuuka was just gathering her energy, because she crashes through the wall like a runaway train and punches Letty hard enough to send the winter youkai flying all the way to the other end of the field.
"Participant Yuuka just scored the first hit of the round! It may look like she punched Participant Letty, but these eyes saw the snowball that was in between!" Aya points at her own eyes as she speaks into the mike excitedly. "But Participant Letty managed to counter three times in that short moment!"
Yuuka brushes the snow on her clothes off negligently, and dashes towards Letty so quickly she kicks up a huge cloud of powdery snow at her starting point.
I watch the unfolding battle. You can't call this a match anymore. It looks more like a one-sided pounding... "Tell me when it's over, please." I tell Aya, then turn away. Shouldn't have let Yuuka do this, now that I see this.
"You like snow, don't you! Have some more then! HERE! HERE! YOU LIKE THAT, YOU WINTER YOUKAI?"
"Participant Yuuka disqualified for excessive force!" Shikieiki's voice cracks like a whip.
"That was some brutal play by Participant Yuuka, and she's been disqualified for it! But just how will the judge decide the score?"
"I do hope that girl isn't too hurt." Byakuren says worriedly.
Taking it as my cue that it's okay to look, I turn back towards the field. The flower youkai and the winter youkai are at opposite ends of the field with Komachi's scythe raised between them, covered in liberal amounts of snow. Despite that, neither of them looks particularly bothered. In fact, Yuuka is wearing a refreshed expression as she stretches her hands above her head, while Letty is just getting to her feet, her expression cool as always.
I notice Shikieiki beckoning to me, and cross the field over to her. "Yes?" Must be a tough decision if she's consulting me.
"Who do you think won that match?"
I bite back a retort about her not using her ability to decide. "I'd say it's Cirno's team, despite the difference in points."
She nods. "I share the same thinking. After all, she's the one who chose the rules for this match, though she did not specifically state that a team couldn't win through that number of matches won." Shikieiki's eyes dart to the left, which is where Yuuka is. "And apparently, she seems to have satisfied her desire for joining."
Beating up the youkai of winter, huh? "If you thought the same, then what's the point of calling me over?"
"Hurry up and announce my decision." Shikieiki sits back in her chair and gives me a LOOK.
Geez, I can't go against that... I back off, noting that the people surrounding her do the same even though she's not looking at them directly. Man, what sort of aura is that? It reminds me a little of Byakuren's dark smile. Well, no point thinking about it... Oh wait! I force a sober expression on my face and return to my table to speak to my colleagues.
"I will now announce the judge's decision... the winner is the Strongest Team!" Byakuren announces to half-hearted cheers.
"You pushed it to her on purpose." Aya accuses me just loud enough for the two of us to hear.
"Seven hundred and sixty-three. (2)" I reply with a smirk, and turn back to my mike. "With their victory, they have earned the right to go up against Team Miko Doll Spark! We'll have a short break while we repair the field. Once again, don't forget to keep warm!"
"So... what brings you all this way here?" I ask Sanae.
"I was thinking of paying a visit to Reimu. So you planned everything?"
"I had a lot of help." I answer modestly. "You'll be staying to watch the rest, right?"
"I'm not sure..."
"Please say you will." I ask. "We're going to have a sort of celebration afterwards."
"Well, if you ask like that, then it would be rude of me to refuse, right?" The green-haired shrine maiden smiles. "I'll just inform Kanako-sama about this first."
"Sure thing." I nod, watching her get to her feet.
Her expression becomes slightly disapproving as she looks down at me. "However, I think you should refrain from acting in such a manner." With that, Sanae takes her leave.
There's a minute of silence as I consider what she said. "Really... what would other people think if they see you holding on to me like this?" I ask futilely.
"Does it really matter? It's warm, after all." Byakuren replies with a happy tone as she continues to cling onto my back.
How did I let myself get talked into this?
I was referring to the short break during which I finally gave in to Byakuren's request by pulling out Blaze Revive to let her warm herself up. Of course, we're doing it in the designated break room. Imagine the panic if I lit myself up outside... someone would probably try to throw water on me before I could explain things, and then I'll freeze in the cold temperatures.
Because you're too kind, Ikuto. Keine's voice sounds in my head.
I feel the bottom drop out of my stomach. Keine... oh shit...
Her tone has a touch of amusement in it. I'm not jealous or anything.
I look around for Keine and spot her standing with Mokou on the opposite end of the room, both of looking in my direction with expressionless faces. Then why are you looking at me like that? It feels like you're stabbing me with that look. The oppressive feeling increases when Byakuren starts humming into my ear.
Okay, maybe I am a little jealous. She admits.
Only a maybe?
"Ooooi! The field's ready, Ikuto! Let's continue!" I hear Aya before I see her, and quickly disentangle Byakuren's arms from around me.
"Got it!" I reply, as Byakuren murmurs unhappily behind me. "Wait," I ask suspiciously, "Why are you holding your camera?"
"Oh, this?" The tengu replies a little too innocently, "I just took some pictures of them fixing the field."
I snort my disbelief. The 'them' she mentioned is referring to Letty and Cirno, the only ones I can rely to repair the walls quickly and well, but I don't think what they do is interesting enough to get Aya to take pictures. On the other hand, when it comes to the topic of the girl with me...
Turning to the rest of the people in the room, I clap my hands to get their attention. "Alright, we're resuming soon! Team Scarlet, you're up against Team Flower Heaven so Cirno and Letty get a break first!"
"Milady, we'll be going." Sakuya informs her mistress, then looks to the rest of her team. "Let's go."
I shoot a quick glance in Yuuka's direction... and quickly make my way out of the place. I don't know how she's going to act after letting off steam against Letty, but it looks like this is going to be another exciting match.
"And we're back everyone!" I note that the crowd has diminished a little, and some of the stalls have already closed due to being sold out. "We're going to start soon, and the match you're about to witness will determine which team takes the third place!"
I make hand signs to Shikieiki and Suika respectively, telling them to speed things up, and they nod affirmatively. The match begins quickly after a cursory introduction of the two teams and the draw to decide the hit limit, with both sides immediately going on the offensive at the sound of the drum.
It's clear that both teams already have strategies planned out; Sakuya and Meiling execute the shotgun trick right away, while Mima and- surprisingly, Tenshi- are taking the back role of preparing ammunition as Yuuka attacks alone.
"With a limit of four hits, it certainly is a good idea not to have the Celestial at the front. Right, Ikuto?" Aya asks me.
"Yes, but right now, I'm more concerned about what exactly are they trying to do."
Yuuka easily bobs and weaves through the random spray, before taking up a relaxed stance on top of a wall, casually tossing a clump of snow in each hand.
"At me, dogs. Show me your fangs."
"You asked for it!" Meiling accepts the challenge.
Their subsequent exchange occurs so fast I only catch some parts of it; Meiling blocking a roundhouse swing, then ducking when Yuuka uses her wrist to fling the snow in that hand, an impressive hand-to-foot switch by Meiling as a combined feint and counter, and a furious aerial exchange that culminates in both of them scoring a simultaneous hit on their opponent with their remaining handful of snow, before landing back down with each foot on a different wall a few meters away from each other.
Man, that's what I call mastery. "AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING! That, ladies and gentleman, is something you don't see in your ordinary snowball fight!" I turn my head to look at Aya. "Did you get pictures of that? Tell me you did."
"You bet I did!"
"That's one point for both sides!"
Wait, I was so focused on those two that I forgot about the rest! It takes me a few seconds to locate Sakuya. Tenshi's finally playing it safe, and actually showing some teamwork by drawing Sakuya away from Mima.
"READY YET-?" Tenshi yells out, ducking behind a wall to avoid retaliatory shots.
"Just finished." Mima rises up and sends snowballs zipping towards Sakuya, who quickly breaks off and retreats back to where Koakuma is.
Wait, what WAS Koakuma doing? I look in that direction to see the familiar taking an uncharacteristic position in front of Sakuya, her lips moving quickly. "She's... Spell Interference! This is an interesting turn of events!"
The nearby snowballs suddenly swerves upwards and back, and Mima's expression of shock is almost comical. But she recovers quickly, pulling back the rest before they enter Koakuma's field of influence.
"Meiling! Get rid of those!" Sakuya orders, lobbing a few shots high into the air.
"Understood!"
Meiling's red hair fans out around her as she hops back with a spin, throwing one arm out to release seven colored spikes at the snowballs, removing all but two of them. However, even that remainder is quickly eliminated, courtesy of two knives flung by Sakuya.
"Participant Mima has lost all her controlled snowballs! But she's not giving up, she's making more!"
"But won't the same result occur?" Byakuren asks.
"That remains to be seen!" Aya taps my arm. "Keep your eyes on the match, you two!"
I see Yuuka giving terse instructions to Tenshi, who doesn't seem to like what she hears, but accepts nonetheless. They move in forced concert, buying time for Mima to set up another piece of magic. However, their coordination pales in comparison to Sakuya and Meiling's; between their combination shotgun and Meiling's heavy bullets while Sakuya provides covering fire, Team Scarlet's two main members manage to land one hit each on the Celestial and the flower youkai.
"Ready. Spread." Mima's voice echoes eerily as she gestures.
"Participant Mima is doing something new! Just what is this spell she cooked up? It has her spellcaster opponent baffled!" Aya
Instantly, a large number of snowballs take to the air, and form a large ring above the field. Tenshi and Yuuka start attacking, preventing the other two from targeting the snowballs. From the look on Koakuma's face, not only is the spell out of her range, it's beyond her level.
Game over? I wonder to myself, just as Mima makes her move.
"Fall." The spirit swings a hand downwards in a chopping motion.
Woah, that's like a hailstorm. Sakuya just got hit on the arm she used to protect her head. Meiling... is spinning around releasing rainbow Ki to block the shots. Wait, Sakuya's with Koakuma... My eyes widen with recognition when I see the maid manifest cards in her hand as she grabs the succubus with the other. That's the first time she's using that move!
Their figures vanish in an explosion of snow as the last few snowballs crash down into their position, but they immediately reappear right in the middle of the other team. Koakuma quickly throws the snow in her hand at Mima, and scores a hit.
"Winner: Team Flower Heaven!" Shikieiki announces to cheering, over Aya's explanation of what Sakuya did.
"Wait, what?" I look around. "But Koakuma scored a hit on Mima!"
"It was the Celestial. She hit the maid in the back, albeit unintentionally, when the snowball flew out of her hand when she turned." Aya explains.
"It was a tough battle, but Team Flower Heaven has emerged the winner, and thus take the third place!" Byakuren adds, smiling.
"Some might say this is an upset, but there is no denying the facts!" Seems like they aren't used to dealing with teamwork; the same thing happened against Reimu and the others. I muse.
I spare a few minutes for Aya to interview both teams. Koakuma blames herself for not being good enough, but Sakuya and Meiling comfort her by pointing out that Sakuya's carelessness was what lost them the match. On the other hand, Tenshi tries to hide it under her complaints that she didn't want to work with Yuuka, but she's clearly overjoyed at scoring the winning shot.
"And now, it is time... for the final match! Between the Strongest Team... and Team... Miko! Doll! Spark!"
"Woah, you're fired up!"
Yeah, actually, I'm kind of tired after all the commentating, so I want to end it on a high note. "Of course! Now... let's decide the hit limit... but the one to decide this time will be our judge!" I almost prance over to Shikieiki. "Draw, please. And it's a... ONE!"
"One hit each! Let's! Get! Started!" Aya steals my line, and I am forced to detour around the field as the final match begins.
"Well, if I had to say one thing about that match, it is that it was anti-climatic." I say conversationally to Aya as we watch the small silhouette of Reimu dance around indoors with the bag filled with the prize money.
"Yeah, who'd expect that all three of them get taken out within a minute? What did they win anyway?"
"Food vouchers, and a plaque for Cirno." Man, she sure is happy despite coming in second place. I rest my head on top of Suika's. "Haaa..."
I must be REALLY tired if I'm not responding to the people around me. Closing one eye, I look around at the other people in the hot spring pool with me. At least they're covering themselves up well enough.
Sanae didn't approve of it, but with Alice, Suika, Komachi, Byakuren, and Yuuka all wanting to drag me in, there wasn't much she could do. Not all of them chose to stay; Byakuren and Reisen are the only members of their respective groups who remained behind, while the fairy teams have already left. This is just a sort of close friends-only gathering.
"Marisa, take your hat off. Honestly, who wears a hat into a hot spring?" Alice scolds the witch.
"Whoops, sorry -ze." Marisa sets her large hat aside and undoes her braid.
"So..." Aya suddenly whips a notepad and a pen from under her hat. "Mind if I interview you about everything?"
Wait, why is SHE wearing her hat here? "I-" I suddenly yawn before I realize it. "Damn..."
"That's it. Once you get out, you're going back home and right to bed." On my other side, Keine is quick to act when she noticed me yawning.
"But Kei~ne~ There's a party after this~" I whine childishly.
"No buts. You already did a lot to plan all of this, that's enough already."
"You do know," Sakuya points out, "That that is also reason enough to stay and celebrate?"
"Izayoi-san, please stay out of this."
"Oh come on~ it's just a party, i'nnit?" Suika slurs, tilting her sake plate at Keine.
"Denied." Keine snaps, "I'm not going to let Ikuto drink himself sick when he's already-"
"He's strong enough," Yuuka interrupts, "Aren't you, Ikuto?" She looks at me, and I nearly look away in reflex.
"Of course I am. I'm not intending to drink much either. Okay, Keine?" I plead, attempting to make puppy eyes.
She relents. "Really, you're hopelessly childish sometimes, Ikuto."
"Yay~" I raise both hands up as though I'm drunk. Yep, my sense of reservation's tied to my energy levels, so when I'm tired, I act kinda crazy. I need to actually focus in order to be aware of anyone who's not in my line of sight. "Thanks, Keine~"
I hug my wife in front of the others, eliciting reactions of shock and jealousy. Komachi and Suika glomp onto me as well, though Reisen, Mokou and Alice stay back. The others make sounds of various tones, but Byakuren's fascinated murmur stands out the most.
"Ikuto, this isn't a place for you to flirt. Please maintain a proper distance from members of the opposite sex." Shikieiki says crisply, and I obey out of reflex. "Good- Hyeek!"
Suika had her hands placed on the Yama's chest, and was squeezing them a little. "Flat."
Beneath that green head of hair, Shikieiki's skin reddens dangerously. "YOU ERO-ONI! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!"
The water explodes, and something hurtles over my head to land on the rock behind me.
"Are we gonna play? Come on then! I wanna have some fun too!" Suika calls through the misty spray, butt naked.
"I think it's better to get out..." I suggest to nobody in particular.
The last I see of the hot spring before going inside, nearly all of the original non-competitors are engaging in danmaku play... either covered only by a towel, or totally nude like Suika. Those who aren't participating just observe the fireworks from below, nonchalantly sipping sake. Others like me, depart for the common changing room.
Time to join the others in the dining room. I finish drying myself off. That's Reimu, Sanae, Tenshi, Mima, Remilia and Meiling. I leave the changing room once I'm dressed and make my way there, way ahead of the others.
I hear Meiling's voice before I even enter the room. "I'm so sorry, Milady..."
"Enough with the apologies. Just do better next time." came the reply.
"Next time...? You make it sound so easy to plan something like this, Remilia." I announce as I slide the door open.
"Finally saw enough?" Sanae snipes with a joking smile, but I just shrug.
"Well, well, look who's here." The vampire's red gaze fixes on me. "And what happened to 'Lady Remilia'?"
"Conservation of energy because I'm tired." I clear my throat slightly. "Is she still at it?" My eyes flicker in Reimu's direction.
"Apparently. Money isn't something she gets often." Remilia beckons to Meiling. "Fetch him a cup of tea."
I take my seat across from her. "Thanks," I accept the cup, and take a few sips. "How's Flandre?"
"Hoping that you'll come again soon. Or do I have to send Sakuya to get you again?" She asks, more relaxed than the last time we talke.
Oh, hell no! "Once is enough, thanks. I'll try to visit within the week, is that okay?"
Remilia nods. "That would be acceptable."
Nodding back, I turn my attention to Tenshi, who seems a little bored. "Hey. Enjoyed yourself?" I ask as Remilia starts chatting with Mima.
"A little." She admits.
Huh, I thought she would act all tsundere and say she didn't. "Then what are you making that face for? Cheer up, will ya?" I slap her back lightly.
"Auu~" She makes a weird sound. "No, it's just... what do you expect me to do with these?" Tenshi holds up the food and drink vouchers she won.
"Treat yourself to some earthly food, obviously. Of course, if you don't want them..." I reach out.
"I'll take them. But..." She fans herself with them. "Since I need someone else to go with, I suppose I'll be generous and let you come along."
I just grin at her. Another tsundere, huh? This will be a start in getting her to open up a little. And hopefully help her mature.
"What?" She asks suspiciously.
"Nothing," I promptly reply, "I accept your goodwill."
Eventually the sounds of the battle outside come to an end as the others start trickling in. Reimu finally snaps out of her daze enough to help Sakuya warm up the leftovers received from the food stalls, and the dishes are set out for everyone. I get to my feet, and the chatter dies away as everyone else looks at me expectantly.
"First, I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has helped make this event a success in some way, whether they're here or not." I see some nodding heads. "Security and commentators, and all those I can't recall off the top off my head. Thank you all." Really, I owe Nitori a LOT.
"Second, I said it already, but congratulations to those who won." I incline my head towards Reimu with her bag of money, and Marisa with the two new magic books I wheedled out of Patchouli. "You put on quite a display for everyone, and it was impressive. Same goes for those who didn't really win, but did very well nonetheless." This time, I look at Reisen and Meiling in turn.
"Lastly, I suck at giving long speeches, so let's just say cheers and eat." I bend down and pick up my cup. "CHEERS!"
"CHEERS-!" Everyone else raises their cup or sake plate as well.
"Right, let's eat!"
It didn't become as boisterous like the previous one, but after all that excitement, the relaxed atmosphere is just right for me. Besides, the sense of having done a good job is satisfying enough. All in all, it feels damn great. Keine kept an eye on me to stop me from drinking any alcohol, though I snuck a few sips when Suika offered. I have no idea what I said when Aya interviewed me later, though. Hope it isn't anything bad.
(1) In some animes, the cawing of a crow sounds like 'Aho~', which is 'fool' in Japanese.
(2) Converted to digits, it's 763. Now switch it over to the Japanese reading for each counting number... Kudos to you if you understood Ikuto's meaning without reading this.
Man, that sure took a while. I haven't wrote such a long chapter for a while, but this one was quite hard initially because I somehow lacked the mood and inspiration to get things started. I mean, it's so different trying to DESCRIBE events from an observer's viewpoint without sounding too repetitive. Not to mention that school work is totally screwing up my free time. Thank goodness my muse of randomness kicked in recently. Unfortunately, there are a series of tests coming up soon, and I'm going to have to study.
Personally, there's not much I can say about Ikuto's actions. He's trying to remain as an observer, but some part of him was stirred up by what he witnessed. It's going to influence him in the near future, by which he'll be moving on to a different place. I'll probably ask people to guess where later, but why not ask it now?
So, where do you think Ikuto will be staying with next? XD There, I asked it.
Or would you be more interested in guessing who will be featured in the next X chapter?
...
Nah, kidding.
Anyway, please review! I know I might not have as much humor or insanity as compared to the Sasquatch or Etherdrone, but I'll keep doing my best.
Till next time, dudes!